Current, past and pending
Lawsuit Update From the New 49'ers
December 2012
Many of you are aware that we have been engaged in litigation with anti-mining activists that have been attacking us through the Karuk Tribe of California since 2003. It all started with their lawsuit against the US Forest Service (USFS), challenging that District Rangers do not have the authority to allow small-scale mining activities under a Notice of Intent (NOI) when the Ranger concludes that the mining activity is not likely to create a substantial surface disturbance.
Many of you are aware that we have been engaged in litigation with anti-mining activists that have been attacking us through the Karuk Tribe of California since 2003. It all started with their lawsuit against the US Forest Service (USFS), challenging that District Rangers do not have the authority to allow small-scale mining activities under a Notice of Intent (NOI) when the Ranger concludes that the mining activity is not likely to create a substantial surface disturbance.
Constitutional Sheriffs Standing Up for Our Rights
December 2012
Modoc County, California, is the latest county to use emergency powers to declare a state of emergency in order to take control of roads and trails away from federal agencies.
Modoc County, California, is the latest county to use emergency powers to declare a state of emergency in order to take control of roads and trails away from federal agencies.
Legislative and Regulatory Update
November 2012
• BLM to raise fees again
• Roadless Rule stands
• Suit filed over dredging restrictions in Washington State
• NWMA lends support
• California suction gold dredging lawsuits progressing
• BLM to raise fees again
• Roadless Rule stands
• Suit filed over dredging restrictions in Washington State
• NWMA lends support
• California suction gold dredging lawsuits progressing
Legislative and Regulatory Update
October 2012
• It's almost November
• Two federal land managers found guilty of contempt
• A chance to halt additional wilderness in Southern California
• Oregon mineral withdrawal
• A really good reason to get out and vote in Oregon
• It's almost November
• Two federal land managers found guilty of contempt
• A chance to halt additional wilderness in Southern California
• Oregon mineral withdrawal
• A really good reason to get out and vote in Oregon
Legislative and Regulatory Update
September 2012
• Hike in mining claim fees
• Hearing on suction gold dredging in California
• Interior wants mining reform
• Hike in mining claim fees
• Hearing on suction gold dredging in California
• Interior wants mining reform
Legislative and Regulatory Update
August 2012
• National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act
• CA suction dredging update
• Appropriations Bill addresses problems at EPA
• Bad science, worse policy
• National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act
• CA suction dredging update
• Appropriations Bill addresses problems at EPA
• Bad science, worse policy
Legislative and Regulatory Update
July 2012
• Forest Service proposes next step in Agenda 21
• 9th Circuit deals blow to small miners
• Forest Service proposes next step in Agenda 21
• 9th Circuit deals blow to small miners
California Suction Dredging Update
July 2012
Another California Assembly member, Jared Huffman, is attempting to ban dredging in the state on a more permanent basis.
Another California Assembly member, Jared Huffman, is attempting to ban dredging in the state on a more permanent basis.
Legislative and Regulatory Update
June 2012
• Partial win for miners
• California suction dredging
• Feds continue to push for more public lands
• Idaho suction dredging
• Partial win for miners
• California suction dredging
• Feds continue to push for more public lands
• Idaho suction dredging
Colorado Mining Association Appeals Roadless Ruling
June 2012
The Colorado Mining Association is asking the US Supreme Court to review a 2001 rule that largely barred new roads on 58 million acres of roadless areas in national forests.
The Colorado Mining Association is asking the US Supreme Court to review a 2001 rule that largely barred new roads on 58 million acres of roadless areas in national forests.
Legislative and Regulatory Update
May 2012
• NEDC Surrenders in Oregon
• The California saga continues
• NEDC Surrenders in Oregon
• The California saga continues
Legislative and Regulatory Update
April 2012
• CA Fish & Game Final SEIR
• Positive news from California?
• Still no results in Wisconsin
• Give us back our lands
• CA Fish & Game Final SEIR
• Positive news from California?
• Still no results in Wisconsin
• Give us back our lands
Today's MSHA
April 2012
We all know that it was never Congress’ intent to regulate gold panners and other individual mine operators through MSHA. In fact, I believe the concept of owner-operated mines with no employees was so strange a concept to the lawmakers that they never even thought there would be a need for such an exemption.
We all know that it was never Congress’ intent to regulate gold panners and other individual mine operators through MSHA. In fact, I believe the concept of owner-operated mines with no employees was so strange a concept to the lawmakers that they never even thought there would be a need for such an exemption.
US Policies Holding Back Arizona
April 2012
Washington’s decision to bar new uranium mining near the Grand Canyon and other federal policies on energy and resource issues are barriers holding back Arizona and its residents from prosperity, Governor Jan Brewer told a congressional hearing March 16.
Washington’s decision to bar new uranium mining near the Grand Canyon and other federal policies on energy and resource issues are barriers holding back Arizona and its residents from prosperity, Governor Jan Brewer told a congressional hearing March 16.
Judge Gives OK to Nevada Mining Tax Initiative
April 2012
A proposed constitutional amendment to raise the cap on mining taxes can proceed as written, a state judge ruled March 14.
A proposed constitutional amendment to raise the cap on mining taxes can proceed as written, a state judge ruled March 14.
Legislative and Regulatory Update
March 2012
• California suction dredging regulations
• Draft Coho recovery plan for Southern Oregon, Northern California
• Sage-grouse
• California suction dredging regulations
• Draft Coho recovery plan for Southern Oregon, Northern California
• Sage-grouse
Revised Dredge Regulations Published for California—Pure Garbage
March 2012
We can’t say it wasn’t expected. The California Department of Fish & Game released revised suction gold dredging regulations on February 17, 2012, and it’s obvious the agency wants to make life as difficult as possible for dredgers.
We can’t say it wasn’t expected. The California Department of Fish & Game released revised suction gold dredging regulations on February 17, 2012, and it’s obvious the agency wants to make life as difficult as possible for dredgers.
Judge Tosses Lawsuit Against Tucson-Area Mine
March 2012
A federal judge has tossed a lawsuit filed by opponents of a Tucson-area mine that had accused the US Forest Service of violating two federal laws in its handling of the mine issue.
A federal judge has tossed a lawsuit filed by opponents of a Tucson-area mine that had accused the US Forest Service of violating two federal laws in its handling of the mine issue.
Legislative and Regulatory Update
February 2012
• Our Federal Landlord
• One down, two to go
• Challenging timing windows in Washington State
• More roadblocks to mining
• Our Federal Landlord
• One down, two to go
• Challenging timing windows in Washington State
• More roadblocks to mining
Feds Order Closure of Idaho Mine
February 2012
Federal safety inspectors have ordered one of the nation’s deepest underground mines closed in northern Idaho following an investigation prompted by a series of accidents that killed two miners over the last year.
Federal safety inspectors have ordered one of the nation’s deepest underground mines closed in northern Idaho following an investigation prompted by a series of accidents that killed two miners over the last year.
